WTN: 2012 Merkelbach Riesling Spatlese

[David M. Bueker]

2012 Merkelbach Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese #16 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (11/9/2013)
Merkelbach has always been an under the radar producer, likely because they neverwent in for the bigger is better, auslese as kabinett, beerenauslese as spatlese styles. This spatlese is indicative of an adherence to tradition, with low to moderate sweeetness, balanced acidity and a striking minerality. The tell tale spice and strawberry elements of the Wurzgarten are there in abundance as well, wrapped up in an elegant, drinkable (gulpable?) package.

Macarthur Beverages in DC carries several Merkelbach Rieslings. If they still have some of the Urziger Wurzgarten on hand next spring, I may pick some up.

[David M. Bueker]

If you can find a way, get some sooner. It's a wonderful vintage for them, and who really knows how many we have left. Plus the wines are cheap!

thanks for notes. I never think about looking for Merkelbach, though I've generally liked (and as you note found well priced). I should start looking

Merkelbach is a must-have for me every year. Very good wine at incredible price. I can have it, delivered, from Euro 7 for UW Kabinett to Euro 11 for the UW Auslese, and these are unbelievable prices for german wine in Italy, since german bottles are usually sold only in expensive enoteche, as "exotic" and outlandish wine.

[David M. Bueker]

I wish I could buy at those prices!

Me too.

Better get the Merkelbach wines while you can, as the bachelor brothers are getting quite old and have no children or family to continue their wine legacy. Rumor has it their estate will be sold in the next couple of years. They are a true Mosel gem - I will be sad to see them go.

[David M. Bueker]

Better get the Merkelbach wines while you can, as the bachelor brothers are getting quite old and have no children or family to continue their wine legacy. Rumor has it their estate will be sold in the next couple of years. They are a true Mosel gem - I will be sad to see them go.

More reliable rumor is that the future of the estate has already been settled, though the details are currently not being disclosed.

Thank you for the note, David. To paraphrase Dale, the Merkelbachs have always made very good wines at very good prices; I should really buy their wines more frequently while they are still around.

[David M. Bueker]

Under $20 for classic Mosel Spatlese. Not much more needs to be said. Along with the now under new management Schmitt-Wagner, Merkelbach has been the keeper of the flame.

Ssssssh, keep the prices down .

The brothers at Alfred Merkelbach have extremely low prices which for most Mosel producers of steep slate slopes is not sustainable.

[David M. Bueker]

So how have they been able to do it? I have wondered that from time to time.

I should probably ask. My last visit there was in the mid-nineties. Otherwise, I've only seen them at tasting events. It depends on the set-up of course. What are their costs? Do they include their own labor in the price? But to get the price you pay retail in the States, the purchase price for the importer has to be quite low, especially with the three-tier system.

I should probably ask. My last visit there was in the mid-nineties. Otherwise, I've only seen them at tasting events. It depends on the set-up of course. What are their costs? Do they include their own labor in the price? But to get the price you pay retail in the States, the purchase price for the importer has to be quite low, especially with the three-tier system.

But, they're imported by Theise/Skurnik, the same as many other MSR producers. Something else must account for their lower prices.

Mark Lipton

I should probably ask. My last visit there was in the mid-nineties. Otherwise, I've only seen them at tasting events. It depends on the set-up of course. What are their costs? Do they include their own labor in the price? But to get the price you pay retail in the States, the purchase price for the importer has to be quite low, especially with the three-tier system.

But, they're imported by Theise/Skurnik, the same as many other MSR producers. Something else must account for their lower prices.

Mark Lipton

My point is that their ex-cellar prices are low because of (factoring in) lower costs and most likely higher yields.

[David M. Bueker]

Probably the right answer Lars, but if their yields get them to wines like that (not to mention the prices) then I wish more producers would let a few more grapes hang on the vine. Merkelbach kabinetts and spatlesen are the antidote to declassified auslese as kabinett.

David, I've no problem with higher yields if the wines don't taste dilute. (It works for their style of wines.) But I doubt this is the main factor in their low ex-cellar pricing. I just think their set-up, modesty, and mind-set results in such low prices. It's a great value, especially considering the amount of work (in the steep slopes) and the quality of the wines.

This is an interesting thread. I'm looking for a benchmark for my home made, locally grown Riesling. The big, local wine store only has the 2011 vintage listed on their website ($20). Any thoughts?

[David M. Bueker]

Howie,

It's not a bad idea. Merkelbach is not mega concentrated.